aventura spa palace

[chase414]

Hello All,

I'm new to this site!  I'm getting married at the Spa/Cove Palace on May 3rd 2012.  I starting to get nervous and a little disappointed with the lack of response for our wedding.  I sent out STD's about 9 months ago and then sent formal invitations at 8 months with a rsvp card for response by Feb. 1st.  Last Friday, I sent out cute reminder cards.  We still have 28 invites of people who haven't responded at all.  

 

I only have 4 people who have actually booked.  8 people who have said they're coming but who haven't booked yet.  Rooms are only being held until Feb 28th.

 

And handful on Nays.  But 28 who I haven't heard from at all!

 

This is changing my whole thought of what my wedding is actually going to be and now I don't think we should do a reception but just the dinner that's in the package! 

 

What has been your responses for your DW?  Is anyone else going through this?

 

We knew that when we did this that a lot of people wouldn't be able to come, but I was hoping for more.  

[jszy10]

If it makes you feel any better, I only received 6 RVSPs back -- and 4 of them were no's :oP.  I had a small group because we only sent out 25 invitations -- about 16 guests (8 rooms) booked -- so it was easier for me to keep track of.  It was my experience that if people said they are definitely coming will book eventually, and those who haven't responded will most likely not.  I think the only way you are going to know is to give them a friendly phone call!  I would call 2-3 weeks out from your deadline and just politely ask them if they plan to book and remind them that the deadline for room bookings is at the end of the month.  That should move people along and give you a better idea of numbers.
 

We had enough rooms to get a free cocktail party, which I used for a welcome party the Thursday before our wedding, and we did dinner at Mundaca Steakhouse restaurant.  They have a terrace in the front of the restaurant that you can request to have your reception set up on without having to pay for a private event.  We had an AHR the week after we returned home, so we couldn't see spending the extra expense to have a private dinner.  Our guests arrived to the restaurant while we were doing pictures and they ordered drinks and appetizers to keep themselves occupied, then when we arrived everyone could order from the restaurant menu and get whatever they wanted!  We were actually originally set up on the terrace, but because of bad weather, we ended up under cover on a side outdoor patio -- which actually was completely private -- just us!  So you could always request that patio too and have a "private" reception that way.

Originally Posted by chase414 

Hello All,

I'm new to this site!  I'm getting married at the Spa/Cove Palace on May 3rd 2012.  I starting to get nervous and a little disappointed with the lack of response for our wedding.  I sent out STD's about 9 months ago and then sent formal invitations at 8 months with a rsvp card for response by Feb. 1st.  Last Friday, I sent out cute reminder cards.  We still have 28 invites of people who haven't responded at all.  

 

I only have 4 people who have actually booked.  8 people who have said they're coming but who haven't booked yet.  Rooms are only being held until Feb 28th.

 

And handful on Nays.  But 28 who I haven't heard from at all!

 

This is changing my whole thought of what my wedding is actually going to be and now I don't think we should do a reception but just the dinner that's in the package! 

 

What has been your responses for your DW?  Is anyone else going through this?

 

We knew that when we did this that a lot of people wouldn't be able to come, but I was hoping for more.  

 

[chase414]

Thanks so much for the advice regarding the Mundaca Steakhouse! That will save us a ton of money not having a private function.  I really wanted to eat outdoors for dinner.  And it's close to the ceremony site.

 

I really appreciate it!

[jszy10]

You're welcome!!  It was definitely worth the savings for me, especially with a small group.  I don't think my guests thought twice about it being at a restaurant either?

 

Here are a few pics to try and help give you a visual of the covered patio we ended up on (sorry, I have no pictures of the terrace because I never got to see it!)  I lost my table vases to the wind from the storm out on the terrace too, so the table looks pretty bare:

 

 

 

 

Originally Posted by chase414 

Thanks so much for the advice regarding the Mundaca Steakhouse! That will save us a ton of money not having a private function.  I really wanted to eat outdoors for dinner.  And it's close to the ceremony site.

 

I really appreciate it!

 

[jszy10]

[jszy10]

I forgot to mention that I'm sure you can pick any table layout that you want there.  We chose to sit at the head of the table facing out guests.  Feel free to check out my wedding pics on my facebook:

 

https://www.facebook.com/jszy10

[chase414]

Thanks so much for sharing your pics!  You looked so beautiful and I love your gown!!  What gazebo did you have your ceremony at?  And what area did you have your cocktail party?  It looked like the pandero, but without the wood slats on the top.  I was planning on having our cocktail party at the pandero because I too have the paper lanterns to hang.  

 

I'm thinking we're going to have about the same amount of guests that you did.  I can't thank you enough for the Mundaco side patio advice!  I'm definitely going to see if I can secure that area!!  I was hoping that I would be able to have one long table like you did and now it seems that I can

 

You pics helped more than you know!   I'm going crazy trying to figure out what decorations and such and having a visual helps so much!

 

Again, thank you and your wedding looked perfect!

 

[jszy10]

You're welcome!  Thanks so much!!  I got married in the Chichen Gazebo (I think they mostly advertise the Tulum and Coba gazebos, but I walked by this one and changed to it that day!)  It's right next to the green area that separates the Spa from the Cove.  I LOVED the wooden bridge walkway that it has that leads to the gazebo, plus its the only gazebo that is completely open all around.  The Tulum gazebo I believe has like a white ladice around it, and the Coba gazebo has glass around the bottom.  If you go to the "Our Trip to Riviera Maya" album, you can see overall pictures of the Chichen and Coba.

 

My cocktail party was at the Pandero. THey actually took away all of those wooden slats, which I was upset about when I first got there, but I think they did a good job of making it look ok in the end.

 

Hope this helps!!  Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions!  I'm glad my pics are helping!!
 

Originally Posted by chase414 

Thanks so much for sharing your pics!  You looked so beautiful and I love your gown!!  What gazebo did you have your ceremony at?  And what area did you have your cocktail party?  It looked like the pandero, but without the wood slats on the top.  I was planning on having our cocktail party at the pandero because I too have the paper lanterns to hang.  

 

I'm thinking we're going to have about the same amount of guests that you did.  I can't thank you enough for the Mundaco side patio advice!  I'm definitely going to see if I can secure that area!!  I was hoping that I would be able to have one long table like you did and now it seems that I can

 

You pics helped more than you know!   I'm going crazy trying to figure out what decorations and such and having a visual helps so much!

 

Again, thank you and your wedding looked perfect!

 

 

[chase414]

Sorry to keep bugging you, but I do have another question.  At your cocktail party, do they set up a bar or do they just have wait service for drinks?  Thanks!!

[amberm390]

Hi Chase414...welcome to the site!! I was just married at Aventura in December and it was beyond AMAZING!!! Our experience was sooo good and everything turned out just perfect...I cannot say enough good things

 

We had a little bit of the same issue with people booking their trips...we had some procrastinators in the group. However, December was not a busy time for the resort, so our guests didn't have a problem booking a month before the trip. We ended up having 24 people in our group. I think it's just best to be patient with your guests and not bug them too much about booking (I was a VERY laid-back bride though). The people who REALLY want to come will be sure to book and the people who don't aren't really worth stressing yourself out over. We learned who the important people were:) Honestly, it is nice to have a smaller group because you can spend time together around the resort and it's just more special.

 

We got married in the Tulum Gazebo...we chose this one since it is the most private one. It is at the far end of the Spa side. The other gazebos were more in the middle of the resort and didn't feel very private to me, but thats just my opinion. Then we had cocktail hour at the Cove Terrace and we LOVED it up there! I initially wanted the Pandero Terrace (because of hanging paper lanterns), but I didn't like the way it looked without the wooden slats on the 'roof'. So I decided not to bring the paper lanterns and we picked a different location. I have to say that the Cove Terrace has a BEAUTIFUL view...we couldn't have been happier with our choice. Then we had our dinner at Mundaca Steakhouse (same place as Jess). We were on the same covered patio as Jess was with the long table for guests and my husband and I were at the head of it facing our guests. We couldn't fathom spending ALL that money on a private reception for only 24 people. Especially since we are spending money on a big reception at home for all of our family and friends.

 

Your question about the cocktail hour, they do set up a bar for you and your guests. We also had a 'signature' drink at our cocktail hour that was colored to match our wedding colors (our wedding coordinator did this on her own). They also set up high and low tables for guests to stand around and sit.

 

Sorry that I have rambled on, but I just know how helpless you feel when trying to plan your wedding from far away. It's a bit stressful. I also love reliving a wedding at Aventura through other people because it is so awesome...we cannot wait to go back. Our guests rave about the place! I literally have about 800 pictures from Aventura (my brother-in-law is a photographer so it's what he does!), so if there is anything in particular you want to see, I probably have a picture of it...just ask! I will also attach some pictures that may be of interest to you...